Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, June 19, 2025, dismissed concerns over NATO’s increased military spending, asserting that it poses no threat to Russia. His statement comes just days before NATO leaders are scheduled to meet in The Hague to finalise a major plan aimed at ramping up defence investment to five percent of GDP.

During a televised press conference in Saint Petersburg, Mr. Putin remarked that Russia is self-sufficient in ensuring its security and that it continues to modernise its military forces. He called NATO’s spending spree unnecessary and ineffective, while reiterating that Russian troops will not halt their offensive in Ukraine.

NATO Not a Threat, Says Putin

Mr. Putin downplayed NATO’s actions, stating clearly:

“We do not consider any rearmament by NATO to be a threat to the Russian Federation.”

He elaborated that Russia has been consistently modernising its armed forces and possesses the capability to counter any external threat. He emphasised that the Russian military remains advanced and fully prepared, implying that NATO's moves are of little strategic concern.

According to Putin:

“It makes no sense for NATO to spend more money on arms… We will counter all threats that arise. There is no doubt about that.”

While conceding that increased Western military budgets may present specific tactical challenges, Mr. Putin reiterated Russia's long-term strategic readiness.

Russia’s Offensive in Ukraine to Continue

Despite diplomatic calls for de-escalation, Mr. Putin declared that Russia's military would continue its offensive operations across Ukraine.

“Our troops are advancing along the entire line of contact… and the advance will continue,” he said.

He painted Ukraine's military position as weak and faltering, suggesting that Russia maintains the strategic upper hand. These comments come amid daily Russian aerial assaults, which have devastated civilian areas in major Ukrainian cities.

Mr. Putin went further, questioning the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose five-year term technically expired in May 2024. Russia has used this to argue that Zelenskyy has no authority to negotiate peace, although Kyiv and its Western allies reject such assertions as Russian propaganda.

Devastating Strikes on Kyiv

As Mr. Putin spoke, Kyiv was still reeling from a series of brutal Russian airstrikes the night before. Ukrainian authorities reported at least 28 civilian deaths, many of them from a missile strike that obliterated a residential apartment block in the capital.

AFP journalists on the ground reported scenes of chaos and sorrow, as rescue workers pulled body bags from rubble and family members searched for loved ones in debris-filled courtyards.

Despite the visible destruction, Putin insisted his forces were not targeting civilians, a claim that has been repeatedly debunked by international media and human rights groups.

Putin on Peace Talks and Zelenskyy

While rejecting NATO as a threat, Putin left the door slightly ajar for future peace talks with Ukraine. He stated that he was open to negotiating with any Ukrainian representative, including Zelenskyy, but only in the “final phase” of talks.

“We are ready to meet with everyone… even with the current head of the regime,” Mr. Putin said, while stressing that negotiations must aim to end the war conclusively, not drag on endlessly.

However, Moscow’s demands remain stringent. Russia insists that Kyiv must cede more territory and renounce any Western military alliances, including future NATO membership. These conditions are non-starters for Ukraine, which has described them as ultimatums rather than genuine peace terms.

NATO’s Summit and Response

The upcoming NATO summit in The Hague is expected to formalise plans to increase member state defence spending to five percent of GDP, under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump. The alliance aims to deter further Russian aggression and support Ukraine’s sovereignty.

Putin's remarks were strategically timed to undermine the summit’s momentum and signal Russia’s continued resistance to Western influence.

NATO officials have reiterated that their support for Ukraine remains unwavering, and several member nations are expected to announce new defence aid packages at the summit.

The Broader Picture: A Prolonged and Bloody War

The war in Ukraine has now entered its fourth year, with no signs of de-escalation. Russia’s military campaign, which began with an invasion in February 2022, has caused:

• Tens of thousands of civilian casualties

• Mass displacement of Ukrainian citizens

• Widespread infrastructure damage in cities like Kyiv, Kharkiv, Mariupol, and Odessa

• A sharp deterioration of East-West diplomatic ties

Putin’s rejection of ceasefire proposals and insistence on hardline peace terms suggests that the Kremlin is determined to extract maximum concessions before any negotiation is considered.

Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to appeal to the West for air defence systems, economic support, and political backing, especially in forums like NATO and the UN.

Civilian Impact and Global Concern

Beyond the battlefront, the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine deepens. Civilians in cities like Dnipro, Lviv, and Kyiv face:

• Power shortages and water cuts due to bombing

• Hospitals overwhelmed with war casualties

• Ongoing evacuation orders in high-risk zones

• A climate of constant fear and insecurity

International aid organisations have warned of worsening conditions, particularly as Russia’s missile campaign intensifies and the peace process remains stalled.

Conclusion

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s latest statements reflect a doubling down on military aggression while projecting confidence in Russia’s defensive capabilities. His dismissal of NATO’s enhanced military plans as a non-threat may be aimed at both domestic and international audiences.

With ongoing civilian casualties and a lack of diplomatic progress, the Ukraine conflict appears locked in a destructive stalemate. The world now watches how the NATO summit and further Ru

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ssian actions will shape the next chapter of this protracted war.

Unless significant diplomatic breakthroughs occur, Ukraine will likely face another brutal year of attrition, with global repercussions for energy, security, and geopolitical stability.